Getting closer

As I clicked on the link to post today I took a second to look at the title of this blog. I really did start out wanting to get under 200 lbs. yet I still have not gotten there even more than a year later. I do believe that I am starting on the path to get there. I am on day seven of my detox diet and doing very well. I weighed in at 229.2 yesterday and I am happy with the success I have been having. It has been hard, drinking the juice concoctions is not a pleasant experience, but I do love what it has been doing for my body. My skin is so much brighter and the wrinkles around my eyes have diminished a lot. I haven't had a headache the entire time I have been detoxing. I do have to say that I haven't had the energy boost that so many people talk about, but seeing that I am cheating a little, maybe that will come later. Here's to getting closer to that title goal.

Juice and more juice

I've been amazed at the 21 pounds in 21 days so far. I have to admit that I have been cheating a little, like I don't puree my veggies at night because it is not like soup but rather like baby food, I added some fruits into my juicer at lunch time because the all veggie juice was gross, and at night I have had one very small square of organic dark chocolate. So how is it going you ask? Great, I have lost an incredible 6 lbs. in the three days so far. I do not expect to keep that amount of weight loss going, but it is a great start to see such rapid results. I haven't felt really hungry, and I have energy. Speaking of energy, Denise and I had day two of our 5K training, and while I may not lack the energy to run, my body is having a hard time keeping up with Denise. I did do better on the second day and isn't that what it is all about? Hopefully I will continue to get better and better and before you know it I will be running like a real athlete.

21 pounds in 21 days / 5K in 9 weeks

So I am embarking on a new challenge. I thought I would let all of you in on it and post my results. First of all I am trying a detox diet called 21 pounds in 21 days the Martha's vineyard diet. Normally I am not one for fad diets, but after some research and talking to someone who had a great deal of success with trying this I decided to give it a go. Today is day one, so far so good. If anyone wants details just let me know. Next is a workout regime Denise found. It is called from the couch to a 5K. Yesterday was our first workout, and just let me tell you it was pathetic, for me that is. Denise did a great job and I wish I could have kept up with her. I will continue on and hopefully be able to keep up with her in the future. My weight today is 240.8, here's to losing the 21 in three weeks!!!

Thanks for the recipes Denise. I look forward to trying them. It is a great idea to add healthy recipes because I a;m n0t a lover of cooking dinner. I prefer whatever they will eat to avoid the whining. It has been 6 weeks since we ended the challenge an I weigh the same. Good but bad because I have just let the old bad habits take over. Goal for this week is to keep food journal and points again and now try a new and healthier dinner. Thanks again!

Call for HEALTHY recipes

So, here we go into the summer. Are we ready to stay healthy? (Okay, that implies I was healthy in the first place. I'll get there, though!) In any case, since we don't have a current challenge I figured we could spend the summer sharing healthy recipes. I'll start with a few from my sister, who has lost 35 pounds since January ...
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Spinach Dip (perfect with Wheat Thins or raw veggies)
10 oz. fresh spinach
1 c. fat free plain yogurt
4 oz. fat free cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c. green onions, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T fresh lemon juice

Steam the spinach until wilted, then squeeze out any excess water. Chop the spinach and mix with all other ingredients.
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Mexicorn Tacos
1 lb. ground chicken breast*
3/4 c. water
1 1/4 oz. taco seasoning mix
3/4 t. salt
1 can mexicorn, drained
8 oz. salsa
12 taco shells, warmed
cheese

Cook chicken breast, then add water, seasoning, salt, mexicorn and salsa. Serve in taco shells with cheese sprinkled on top. Approx. 164 calories/taco
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Mexican Rice
1 c. long grain white rice
1 1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 green pepper, finely chopped
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 cubed chicken bouillon
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 t. ground cumen
1/2 c. cilantro
1 clove garlic, halved

Boil rice in chicken broth. Add rest of ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook an additional 20 minutes.
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*Did you know your local grocer will trim the fat off of chicken breasts then grind it for you? My sister even said Macey's cuts off excess fat and then doesn't charge you for that. She took 5 lbs. of chicken to them, and they trimmed off a pound and then only charged her for 4 lbs. of chicken! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Macey's. (Other grocery stores will at least grind it for you, even if they aren't this friendly. :)

Okay, please share any good ones you have, and let's eat YUMMY healthy food all summer. :)

Ok, well it was a lot easier to stay motivated with points and money on the line. Today was a total bomb of a day, donuts & ice cream, I think I consumed more calories today than I did in a week when doing the challenge. Lets keep posting just to keep ourselves motivated and not so easily enticed by the luscious temptations out there.

Drumroll, please .......

And our winner is .................. Brandi!!!
Congrats! I'll get you your money shortly.

Second place is ................. Jen H.
Let me know if you want the Biggest Loser workout DVD or a custom announcement (Christmas, baptism, etc.).

Third place is ................ Jen P.
Also let me know what kind of announcement you'd like made. Once I get your pic I can make the one you'd like. (Obviously if it's Christmas we'll wait until Fall.)

CONGRATS to everyone on healthier living and weight lost. I should add up the totals, but I'm thinking all together there were more than 100 pounds lost in this challenge!!!

Once again, please let me know if you have any ideas for the Fall challenge. I try to have different ways to earn points to keep it fresh for those who do it more than once.

Keep posting if you'd like, and keep up the exercise and self-control all summer. I hope to get to under 200 this year, and once I'm recovered from baby I plan to get started. Maybe us locals should plan to do a 5K together in the fall?

Thanks to you all for your commitment and dedication. This has really been fun and inspiring!